YESTERDAY AND TODAY

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YESTERDAY AND TODAY

The only thing I regret about the syringe post is that I did not consider if it would hurt Pete's feelings.

I perhaps should have been fired for posting about an internal issue at a business where I am employed, but I was not, and for that I am grateful.

I am not convinced it is not at least in part because there was a giant dog waiting on the other side of the office door yesterday morning to meet me, and if I did not spay her, someone would need to!

But we do make a great team, and neither of us is willing to give up on that dynamic or potential, and I appreciate that too.

I have been challenged to consider other single use products and their place in medicine, and I think that will be the subject of my next Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery article or review, because there is a lot of fascinating information out there.

Today I have been coloring. A lot. And spending time with the dogs and kids.

Abby walked into the kitchen this evening and said to Russ, "Do you have any wire I can bend into glasses to put on a marshmallow?" But she said I had to wait until at least tomorrow to post more about that!

Back to work tomorrow (phew). A couple of very challenging cases to start the day and more than a couple cute dogs I am sure.

I said I would keep you updated, and so there is that. Thank you all for reading my stuff and joining the conversation. I really appreciate it.

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Post from one year ago today...

March 3, 2016

OSTRICH TRAINING

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THE SYRINGE BATTLE

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THE SYRINGE BATTLE

Today I was told that my throwing away used syringes could be construed as bullying because the team is told to keep syringes and to clean and sterilize them for reuse and I am doing and advocating the opposite.

Of the years of civil arguing back and forth and bringing it up every once in a while to discuss again and researching and cost analysis and meetings...this is the day that got me.

I am a lot of things...stubborn, hard-headed :) ...but I am not a bully, and I work actively against bullying on a few fronts, so that remark hit right where it was intended.

For the sake of the pets and their people and the team and my own sanity and...not to overstate...the veterinary oath and my own veterinary license, I will continue to not reuse syringes meant to be used one time and discarded. 

Further updates hopefully soon. Please comment here (as you or anonymously) or on Facebook with your thoughts.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 28, 2016

THERE ARE NO ALLERGIES IN WRITING

Bonus Leap Year Post from One Year Ago!

February 29, 2016

A DOG NAMED DOC

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BORN UNDER THE GAS PEDAL OF A JUNK CAMARO

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BORN UNDER THE GAS PEDAL OF A JUNK CAMARO

My friend Dan was not a cat person. In fact, I don't think he ever had any pets growing up. I couldn't picture him having a cat, or knowing what to do with one. Until General.

Not General, but he looked like this.

Not General, but he looked like this.

Dan was looking for Camaro parts at the junkyard and found a very tiny abandoned kitten stuck under the pedals of an old junk car. This was a very long time ago, so I do not have pictures of the exact car or cat. 

The car that General was born in looked something like this.

The car that General was born in looked something like this.

Dan took this little kitten home and named him after General Motors. General hid under the dryer for the first month, reluctantly coming out for food and learning to trust Dan. After that, they were inseparable best friends.

Also not General, but he looked this gorgeous. Not bad for a junkyard cat.

Also not General, but he looked this gorgeous. Not bad for a junkyard cat.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 27, 2016

MEASURES OF A GOOD DAY

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ZOO IN A BLIZZARD

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ZOO IN A BLIZZARD

Friday was a snow day.

We decided to go to the Zoo. It was one of our favorite zoo trips.

I left the pictures in full color because of the red flower and blue frog and Macaws and peacock.

Pink Fairy Duster - In the Desert Dome

Pink Fairy Duster - In the Desert Dome

Tawny Frogmouths

Tawny Frogmouths

These birds are so unique looking! I stared at them a while and then had to go back to watch them some more. I tried not to be rude, but it seems that in general, birds do not mind being stared at as much as dogs and cats do.

Roadrunner

Roadrunner

This roadrunner showed us the stick he had found, then put it down to pick up a piece of grass. He pranced the grass blade back and forth in front of us, then set that down too. I love his personality!

Baby Map Turtle!

Baby Map Turtle!

Courtyard Outside the Jungle

Courtyard Outside the Jungle

Blue Dart Frog

Blue Dart Frog

Macaws

Macaws

In the Aquarium

In the Aquarium

Sometimes we don't even go into the Aquarium because it tends to be pretty crowded. This day was perfect! Maybe a half dozen other people besides the Zoo Team were in the entire Aquarium during the time we were there.

Penguins! This picture is for Dave Nelson and Evan Choi :)

Penguins! This picture is for Dave Nelson and Evan Choi :)

Our favorite part of the Aquarium, the tunnel, had no other people in it. We have never gotten to go through it alone! We stayed to make friends with the turtles and rays.

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This. This is what got us to the Zoo on such a snowy morning. How precious is he?? Mama was not too impressed with us being close, so we only stayed to take a couple pictures and congratulate her <3

This. This is what got us to the Zoo on such a snowy morning. How precious is he?? Mama was not too impressed with us being close, so we only stayed to take a couple pictures and congratulate her <3

This was a very fun day! Next time, we should go together!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 26, 2016

AN AMAZING PRACTICE TIP, PART 2 OF 2

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ROAD TRIP!

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ROAD TRIP!

On Friday February 17, 2017 I got home from work and sat in the car to hear the end of a song on the Alexander Hamilton soundtrack. Normally, I come right inside when I get home. Joy and Luna were having none of my stalling.

Joy opened the glass front door and ran to the car followed closely by Luna. I opened the door to explain I was listening to a song and would be right in, but instead of being reasonable dogs, they jumped into the car for a road trip.

Russ came outside to say I did not need to take them on a road trip just because they got into the car. When I said I didn't think it would be kind to dash their hopes especially when they were already in the car and ready to go, Russ got into the car too followed by Amanda and Abby who had come outside to see what was going on.

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We drove around the block much to the delight of both dogs. Since we were out, we stopped to get gas and tacos.

At Abelardo's , Russ told the team we were impressed they had closed for A Day Without Immigrants the day before and that we were really happy they are a part of the Omaha community. Also he said thank you for the tacos and churros. He is my favorite guy.

We headed home for dinner. It had been a very fun road trip for all.

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Post from one year ago today...

February 19, 2016

ON MEETING STEPHEN BALDWIN

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OLIVIA THE TORTOISE WISHES YOU A HAPPY VALENTINE'S MONTH

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OLIVIA THE TORTOISE WISHES YOU A HAPPY VALENTINE'S MONTH

Remember Olivia who visited Santa?

I will pass on as many pictures as Stephanie sends of her - I think she is awesome!

Olivia hopes you had a happy Valentine's Day.

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From Stephanie...

"A little bit about Olivia.....she is a two year old red footed tortoise.

Her favorite foods are kale, peas and bananas. She also loves cat food!! When she gets to crawl in the house, she heads straight for the kitchen looking for cat food. If we don't put it up, she will crawl into the dish. 

She loves being outside when its warm out.

I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy when I make her dress up and take pics. Funny thing is she knows to stay still for at least a few minutes so I can get the pic and then she is over it."

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Post from one year ago today...

February 17, 2016

THE MANY EXPRESSIONS OF ARTEMIS SCAMARDO

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Pepper Visits the Job-site

Guest Post - Russ

Jeff and I were finishing up a large custom deck in Bay Hills near Plattsmouth. While
I was cleaning up the scraps, I was greeted by this visitor.

He thought it was super fun to fetch the scrap pieces from the trash pile and bring them back to me. Also to run up and down the stairs we built for him and to jump on us.

We held him still to look for a tag and get a picture. Then Mom came in her minivan and said "Pepper, time to go home!"  He was a little sad. We thought he had very cool coloring and neat eyes!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 16, 2016

PURPLE

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ANOTHER EARRING AND A NOSE RING

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ANOTHER EARRING AND A NOSE RING

Another earring and a nose ring. No, not for me! I am at my work handbook-approved maximum. And I am a chicken.

My daughters are brave. Also, Abby kept her room clean for thirty days and was allowed to have her nose pierced as agreed.

Amanda...doesn't tend to absentmindedly throw papers over her shoulder. Much to Abby's dismay, Amanda got day one approval on her requested earring.

When Abby finished her clean room chart (YES they work even better for teenagers than little kids!) and Amanda had summoned all the courage she required, we headed to Authentic Ink Tattoo and Body Piercing with ID's and birth certificates.

The front desk person was very kind. She made Amanda less nervous.

The front desk person was very kind. She made Amanda less nervous.

Colin Nichols gave the girls the new holes in their heads. He could see Amanda was getting nervous again after Abby had her nose pierced and had Amanda in the chair and her ear pierced before she could really panic. Thank you Colin!

Colin Nichols gave the girls the new holes in their heads. He could see Amanda was getting nervous again after Abby had her nose pierced and had Amanda in the chair and her ear pierced before she could really panic. Thank you Colin!

The little loop in the top of Amanda's ear is the new one.

The little loop in the top of Amanda's ear is the new one.

A trick I learned with recent dental work - if you have a Tsum in your pocket, things are less scary.

A trick I learned with recent dental work - if you have a Tsum in your pocket, things are less scary.

They are some days out and very happy with their decisions!

Thank you Authentic Ink team. I know kids are not your normal client demographic, and you were super patient and kind to them. They love their new piercings!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 15, 2016

HELPING

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CHIPPY THE KINDERGARTEN RAT

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CHIPPY THE KINDERGARTEN RAT

In February of 2000, Dr. Munger and I teamed up to surgically remove a mass from Chippy the Kindergarten Rat. She was the classroom pet, and her friends wrote us the best Valentines ever after her surgery. She recovered well, and resumed her kindergarten studies soon after surgery.

These are a few of the thank you cards we received.

As you can see, Chippy was a very beautiful rat.

As you can see, Chippy was a very beautiful rat.

"Thank you for Chippy's operation. She feels better." :)

"Thank you for Chippy's operation. She feels better." :)

"You are a very nice doctor." I found this note to be ambiguous as I am a nice doctor, however, Dr. Munger too is a nice doctor.

"You are a very nice doctor." I found this note to be ambiguous as I am a nice doctor, however, Dr. Munger too is a nice doctor.

"I like that the tumor is out. We want Chippy to feel better. I know Chippy will feel better."Chippy, "Squeak."

"I like that the tumor is out. We want Chippy to feel better. I know Chippy will feel better."

Chippy, "Squeak."

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Post from one year ago today...

February 14, 2016

REMEMBER

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OSCAR AND FELIX'S BIG DAY

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OSCAR AND FELIX'S BIG DAY

One week ago, Mom and Dad's Poodle puppies, Oscar and Felix, were neutered.

They spent the day with Kelly, Jen, Hannah, Amy and me, and said they had a very good but strange day.

Jen got this great picture of Oscar hugging Felix while Kelly holds them :)

Jen got this great picture of Oscar hugging Felix while Kelly holds them :)

I love this picture of sleepy Oscar!

I love this picture of sleepy Oscar!

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You did it boys!

You did it boys!

Felix, do you want to talk about it?

Felix, do you want to talk about it?

Oscar was not impressed with his protective cone.

Oscar was not impressed with his protective cone.

We ate lunch together. I ate while the Poodles silently judged me.

We ate lunch together. I ate while the Poodles silently judged me.

2 days post op, Abby and Arthur check on Oscar.

2 days post op, Abby and Arthur check on Oscar.

Amanda and Robert check on Felix.

Amanda and Robert check on Felix.

Boys, you did great! And good news! You can take your cones off today!

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Post from one year ago today...

February 13, 2016

ON EUTHANASIA APPOINTMENTS

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THE KURTENBACH SERIES FINALE - MORE DOGS AND SOME CATS!

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THE KURTENBACH SERIES FINALE - MORE DOGS AND SOME CATS!

I hope you have enjoyed this series!

Do you want to see MORE pictures and hear MORE stories from Dan in the future?

Do YOU have a story to tell?

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 1 - MARCEL

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 2 - GAMBLER

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 3 - THE FOUNTAIN CREEK GENERAL STORE

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 4 - THE FLOWERS

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 5 - AZLYNN GRACE

THE KURTENBACH SERIES, PART 6, LEATHERWORK

THE KURTENBACH SERIES FINALE - MORE DOGS AND SOME CATS...

Here are some great pictures of other dogs and cats Dan has known...

Gus and Dan on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Gus and Dan on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Gus in the Yard

Gus in the Yard

Happy Old Gus

Happy Old Gus

Gus - to his chagrin, a kitty magnet &nbsp;—— Gus with Rocket

Gus - to his chagrin, a kitty magnet  —— Gus with Rocket

Gus with Harvey

Gus with Harvey

Gus with Little Bit

Gus with Little Bit

Wolfie in the Yard

Wolfie in the Yard

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Post from one year ago today...

February 12, 2016

OLD SCHOOL MEDICINE

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